As Passover begins at sundown on Wednesday, Jewish families gathering for seders will blend ancient traditions of liberation with contemporary prayers for Israel and peace amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel military conflict with Iran, a leading New York rabbi said on Newsmax Wednesday.
Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, executive vice president of the New York Board of Rabbis, appearing on "Wake Up America," described Passover as a festival of freedom rooted in the Exodus story.
He noted that the holiday's festive meal, the seder, remains rich with traditions dating back to antiquity.
In response to questions about adaptations due to the war that began Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, Potasnik said seders this year will emphasize connections between Jews in the United States and Israel.
Families are expected to include prayers for the welfare of Israeli troops, for the United States as Israel's strongest ally, and for peace overall.
"When we talk about freedom, what we're saying is we want the right to be free as Jews, to practice Judaism without interference, without imposition by others," Potasnik said.
He pointed to the Haggadah, the traditional Passover narrative, which states that in every generation there are those who seek to destroy the Jewish people. Potasnik drew a historical parallel, noting that past empires, including the Egyptians, Babylonians, Romans, and Germans that threatened Jewish existence, are gone, and "now the Iranians" are counted among them, while the Jewish people remain.
"We come tonight with taste of bitterness and sadness," he said. "But we also have that sweet taste, knowing that tomorrow will be a better day."
The comments come as Passover 2026 aligns with heightened regional tensions.
The U.S.-Israel campaign against Iran has involved airstrikes targeting Iranian military sites, missile capabilities, and leadership, with Iran responding with missile barrages against Israel. President Donald Trump has signaled the conflict could wind down within weeks.
Potasnik stressed that Jews seek only to live and practice their faith without harm to others, framing the holiday's themes of resilience and hope against the backdrop of current threats.
"We just want to be Jews. We're not looking to destroy others," he said.
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Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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